Orthopedic device for straightening and relieving pain of ingrown nails



May 22, 1956 N. H. PARKER 2,746,451

ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND RELIEVING PAIN OF INGROWN NAILS Filed Dec. 8, 1954 A/o/zmu H. PA mm? m VEA/TDR [EEK/EL WOLF H/5 ATTORNEY 2,746,451 Patented May 22, 1956 ORTHOPEDIC DEVICE FUR STRAIGHTENENG Ahli) RELIEVING PAIN F INGRQWN NAILS Norman H. Parker, Winchendun, Mass. Application December 8, 1954, Serial No. 473,857

' Claims. (Cl. 128-451) The present invention relates to an orthopedic device for straightening and. relieving pain of ingrown nails particularly toe nails. i

It is an object of the present invention to provide an orthopedic device' 'for reducing the curvature of the ingrown nail and to cause it to grow straighter and thereby resume its normal relationship with the balance of the toe. Another object of the present invention is to provide an orthopedic device for ingrown nails which fits beneath the nail and forces the sides upwardly to a smaller degree of curvature through pressure applied from beneath the nail. This orthopedic device is positioned at the end of the nail and not above it, thus providinga device which will more readily fit within the wearers shoe and will not rub or cause discomfort from contact with the vamp of theshoe.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an orthopedic device inserted at the end of the toe which may easily be applied and worn without discomfort to the wearer.

These and other objects of the present invention will be more clearly understood when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a partial cross sectional elevation of the device, v

Figure 2 is an end view of the device shown inserted beneath an ingrown nail.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device as used in connection with an ingrown nail; and

Figure 4 is an elevation of a wire pin for adjusting the device.

This device is preferably made of nickel, aluminum, or stainless steel or other metals or materials ofsimilar nature which do not react with body secretion.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a pair of L- shaped arms 1 and 2 having respectively the legs 3 and 6, and 4 and 7. These arms are tapered to the flattened legs 3 and 4 as illustrated in Figure 2, and may be of any desired size depending upon the digits to which the device is to be applied.

The outer edges of the end of these legs 3 and 4 are provided with barbs or serrations 5. The legs 6 and 7 respectively of the L-shaped arms 1 and 2, one with left and the other with right handed threads, screw into i either end of the turnbuckle member 8 having a threaded axial opening 9 to receive these threaded arms.

The outer surface of this turnbuckle member 8 may be serrated as indicated in the drawings, or may be provided with a hexagonal or octagonal cross section, or

may have a knurled surface to hold it against slipping when worn. in addition, there is provided, preferably at angles about the circumference of the member 8, a plurality of holes 10 adapted to receive a pin wrench 13 or similar instrument for turning the member 8 With added ease.

in the operation of this device, the L-shaped arms are placed with their free ends 11 and 12 beneath the ingrown nail, with the member 8 at the end of the digit.-

In the case of an application to toes, this is a position in the area of the toe space of the wearers shoe. The member 8 may be turned by hand or the pin wrench 13 placed in the holes 10, until the serrated sections 5 grip the lower surface of the ingrown nail near its side edges as indicated in Figure 2 and force them outward and upward, thus reducing the tension of the ingrown nail, relieving the pressure created, and providing suificient reduced tension to permit the sore digit to heal.

One of the particularly desirable features of this device is the fact that its mass is largely positioned at the end of the di it and not above it, and furthermore, the device operates to relieve the tension of ingrown nails by exertinga pressure from below the nail thus eliminating the need of forcing the ends of an instrument over the side edges of the nail.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A means for relieving ingrown nails comprising a I pair of L-shaped aims, one end of one of the arms being threaded in one direction and an end of the other arm being threaded in the opposite direction, and a turnbuckle screwed on to the threaded ends of the arms.

2. A means for relieving ingrown nails comprising a turnbuckle threaded at both ends in opposite directions and a pair of L-shaped arms each having a threaded leg screwed into the threaded ends of said turnbuckle.

' 3. A means for relieving ingrown nails as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said L-shaped arms has a second 2 leg serratedat its free end.

4. A means for relieving ingrown nails as set forth in claim 2 wherein said turnbuckle is provided with a.

plurality of holes adapted to receive a pin wrench.

5. A means for relieving ingrown nails as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of the arms has a flat second leg serrated on its outer edge at its free end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Marley Dec. 29, 1891 i 

